One thing that stands out to me about the cross and resurrection is the devotion of the women who followed Jesus and the disciples from Galilee to Jerusalem. Let’s look at how Matthew describes their actions.
The male disciples are featured throughout the Gospel of Matthew. Still, the Gospel also gives us brief glimpses of Jesus’ female followers. While the men fled, afraid they might be crucified with Jesus, the women remained. They were at the cross, at the tomb, and at the resurrection.
“Many women were also there, looking on from a distance; they had followed Jesus from Galilee, ministering to him. Among them were Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James and Joseph, and the mother of the sons of Zebedee.” (Matthew 27:55-56)
At the tomb:
“Mary Magdalene and the other Mary were there, sitting opposite the tomb.” (Matthew 27:61)
On resurrection Sunday:
“After the Sabbath, as the first day of the week was dawning, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb.” (Matthew 28:1)
“So they left the tomb quickly with fear and great joy and ran to tell his disciples. Suddenly Jesus met them and said, ‘Greetings!’ And they came to him, took hold of his feet, and worshiped him. Then Jesus said to them, ‘Do not be afraid; go and tell my brothers and sisters to go to Galilee; there they will see me.’” (Matthew 28:8-10)
It is important to remember that a woman’s testimony was not accepted in court at that time. Women had few rights, yet the New Testament says women were the first to see Jesus after He rose from the dead, not the men who would later become leaders of the church.
I often say this fact is included in the Bible because it happened just as it was written. Just as Jesus rose from the dead, the women’s witness also took place.
These women show a truth found in the Bible and throughout church history: Devotion to Jesus opens the door to revelation. They stayed close to him, even at the cross, risking their lives. Then, they were rewarded with revelation when they saw the risen Lord. This is a pattern that have been duplicated year-after-year in the church.
Jesus’ Authority Confirmed
When the devil tempted Jesus in the wilderness, the issue was His sonship and authority. After the cross and resurrection, Jesus could speak about His authority as He called us to follow Him.
“All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:18-20)
The best gift I can give you today is an invitation to spend an hour listening to Dallas Willard’s teaching on the Great Commission.
He talks about the church’s call to make disciples, immerse them in the life of the Trinity, and teach them to obey everything Jesus commanded. He believes the church has failed in this mission, which is why his lecture is called The Great Omission.
Please take time to listen to it today:
YouTube Discussion
Rudy Ross, Bruce Kirby, and I also discussed Matthew 28:1-20 today on YouTube.
Real Voices 